Jerry Green Loc: Huntsville, AL

I just received a Nikon Bellows II F and would like recommendations on lens to use with it. Does it work any better using a macro lens or normal lens just as good? I will be using it with a Nikon D810. I used a Nikon 85 mm f/1.8 D and it works well. Note: I added a Kenko 12 mm extension tube to get clearance to mount the camera to the bellows.

lightcatcher Loc: Farmington, NM (4 corners)

Faster the lens, the easier the focusing, which you already discovered with the f/1.8.

Apaflo Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

A faster lens is usually of no significance at all. That is because the magnificantion from the bellows extension results in a narrow depth of field, and a small aperture is used to get as much DOF as possible. Using an f/1.4 lens at f/22 is no different than using an f/4 lens at f/22!

There are some technical points about choosing lenses for use with either extension tubes or a bellows. Lenses that use an "Internal Focus" design are not optimal. Almost all newer lenses are IF lenses, and generally those made for cameras will have to be at least a 25 year old design! The IF designs are meant to be at one specific fixed distance from the sensor plane, non-IF lenses were meant to be focused by changing that distance.

Non-camera lenses, such as enlarging lenses and microscope objectives work very well on a bellows. Enlarging lenses with focal lengths longer than 80mm are really good. With microsope objectives the ones that work are those designed for a finite tube length, and will then have the marked magnification when extended that distance (actually, about 10mm less) from the film plane. Microscope objectives that are fully corrected for abberrations (and do not rely on the ocular for correction) are the best. Unitron objectives are an example.

Qbert Loc: Virginia

The biggest advantage I see in using a faster lens is the light gathering ability when wide open. When using existing light, sometimes this makes the difference between being able to see well enough to focus or not. Obviously, after focusing, you would stop down to f/22 for the actual shot.

Apaflo Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

Focusing with Live View would be more satisfactory.

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

Jerry - Are you planning to build a (near permanent), table-top mini-studio? If so, take a look at a few table-top set-ups here:
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-32754-2.html#848810
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-32754-2.html#932521
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-32754-2.html#920793
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-32754-4.html#2088936
http://www.flickr.com/photos/a-peer/11790916003

As previously mentioned, enlarging lenses and old manual macro lenses work quite well in a bellows set-up.

OnDSnap Loc: NE New Jersey

Years ago if I recall correctly, I used F-mount EL-Nikkor enlarging lens on my Nikon PB-6 bellows.

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

I could get infinity focus as well with a longer Focal length Schneider Componon enlarging lens attached to my bellows

OnDSnap Loc: NE New Jersey

:thumbup:

Jerry Green Loc: Huntsville, AL

My Nikon bellows has a F-mount. What adapter do you use to attach the Schneider lens?

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

I have a T mount bellows. For your bellows, you would need an M39 to Nikon F adapter (that is assuming your enlarging lens has a 39mm screw thread, if not, whatever the thread mount size is to the Nikon F mount).